Feb 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (53) moves the puck against Minnesota Wild right wing Jason Pominville (29) during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Wild 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (53) moves the puck against Minnesota Wild right wing Jason Pominville (29) during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Wild 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
Philadelphia Flyers D Shayne Gostisbehere could be the franchise’s first ever rookie of the year, but the team has had plenty of great rookies before
Shayne Gostisbehere is having an incredible rookie season, and has been picking up more and more talk as a rookie of the year candidate. He has knocked down tons of records, and has had a massive impact on the Philadelphia Flyers. Winning rookie of the year, however, could be a very tall order. Artemi Panarin is having a great season in Chicago, and phenom Connor McDavid is second only to Sidney Crosby in scoring since returning from injury at the beginning of February (33 points in 29 games).
Surprisingly, Ghost could be the first ever Flyer to win the Calder trophy as rookie of the year. Certainly the Flyers have had many great rookies in the past, but for some reason or another the award eluded all of them. Here’s a list of the best seasons Philadelphia Flyers rookies have notched in franchise history.
Next: Behn Wilson, 1978-79
Behn Wilson, 1978-79
Behn Wilson was taken #6 overall in the 1978 draft, and he was a prototypical Philadelphia Flyer. Wilson was very aggressive both physically and offensively, hitting, scoring goals, and fighting. As a rookie in 1978-79, Wilson scored 13 goals and 49 points. His 13 goals stood as a Flyers rookie defenseman record until this year when his mark was passed by Ghost.
Next: Ken Linseman, 1978-79
Ken Linseman, 1978-79
Ken Linseman made his name in the NHL very quickly as “The Rat.” Highly productive and incredibly annoying, he was an immediate impact player. Unfortunately he played only 30 games in his official rookie season of 1978-79, pretty much removing him from being a Calder candidate. That season, he scored 25 points, and he scored another 79 points the following season in his first full NHL season.
Next: Pete Peeters, 1979-80
Pete Peeters, 1979-80
Keeping with the trend of the 1979 Philadelphia Flyers, Pete Peeters debuted in the NHL with a bang. His name is overshadowed by other Flyers goaltenders of the 80’s like Ron Hextall and Pelle Lindbergh, but his rookie season record of 29-5-5 is pretty hard to beat. He finished third in Calder voting that season.
Next: Brian Propp, 1979-80
Brian Propp, 1979-80
If you haven’t noticed by now, the Flyers had a good crop of rookies in this era. In addition to Ken Linseman, Behn Wilson, and Pete Peeters, Brian Propp also debuted. In his rookie season, he played alongside and revived then fading talents Bobby Clarke and Reggie Leach, piling up 75 points as a start to a great Flyers career.
Next: Simon Gagne, 1999-2000
Simon Gagne, 1999-2000
Simon Gagne came onto the scene and provided the Flyers with a speed element they had been lacking, being a young, flashy, French-Canadian goal scorer. He scored 20 goals as a 19-year old rookie, and was a valuable member of the team as it made its memorable playoff run without Eric Lindros.
Next: Bill Barber, 1972-73
Bill Barber, 1972-73
It was no coincidence that Bill Barber arrived just as the Philadelphia Flyers were turning the corner into a powerhouse NHL team. In his rookie season, Barber scored 30 goals and 64 total points in 69 games, and finished second in Calder trophy voting.
Next: Mikael Renberg, 1993-94
Mikael Renberg, 1993-94
As the Philadelphia Flyers tried to get back into the playoffs after a multi-year drought, Renberg provided a huge boost to that effort. Renberg scored 38 goals and 44 assists as a 21-year old rookie, setting a franchise rookie record with 82 points. He ultimately finished 3rd in Calder trophy voting behind Jason Arnott and Martin Brodeur.
Next: Eric Lindros, 1992-93
Eric Lindros, 1992-93
Entering the league with a massive amount of hype, Eric Lindros matched the hype immediately. He scored 41 goals and 75 points in only 61 games as a 19 year old rookie. Unfortunately he never really had a chance at the Calder that year because Teemu Selanne scored an incredible 76 goals that season.
Next: Ron Hextall, 1986-87
Ron Hextall, 1986-87
As the Flyers were still reeling from the tragic death of Pelle Lindbergh, Hextall miraculously gave the team another young impact goalie. Ron Hextall won 37 games that regular season and was awarded the Vezina trophy, but narrowly lost out on the Calder to Luc Robitaille and his 45 goals. Hextall furthermore carried his amazing rookie season into the playoffs, winning the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP even though the Flyers lost to the Oilers in the finals.
